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By Uche Okobi
Bakare disclosed this during her official visit to the Rotary Club of Festac Central, Lagos State, where she also urged members to strengthen the organisation’s public image and increase support for the Rotary Foundation, Polio Plus programme and District Designated Fund.
The District Governor said the decision to prioritise membership growth was informed by the increasing needs of society, stressing that more Rotarians were required to expand the organisation’s capacity to respond to humanitarian and community development challenges.
“Membership this year is 50 percent,” she said.
According to her, Rotary members must also ensure that the public was adequately informed about the organisation’s interventions, particularly its efforts to restore hope to vulnerable people, provide eye care and support educational development for those in need.
She further encouraged Rotarians to contribute generously to the Rotary Foundation and support programmes aimed at sustaining the organisation’s humanitarian activities.
The District Governor’s visit began with a guard of honour and an inspection of items acquired by the Rotary Club of Festac Central for its 2026 empowerment project.
The items included three grinding machines and two sets of vulcanising equipment, which were presented to five beneficiaries comprising three women and two men.
After the presentation, Bakare urged the beneficiaries to make proper use of the equipment and ensure that repayments were made as and when due. She commended the club for initiating the empowerment project, describing it as an important intervention in improving the livelihoods of beneficiaries.
The visit also featured a board meeting involving the District Governor, members of her district team, the President of Rotary Club of Festac Central, Chichi Mackings Nezianya, and members of her management team.
This was followed by a special fellowship presided over by Nezianya.
A major highlight of the fellowship was a citation presented by the District Secretary, Rotarian Felix Nwogu, in honour of Bakare, who is serving as District Governor for the 2026/2027 Rotary Year.
Nwogu, in the citation, traced Bakare’s professional and Rotary journey, noting that she was born in June 1966 in Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, and obtained a diploma in Mass Communications from the University of Lagos.
He said she subsequently pursued postgraduate studies in Management Studies and Marketing at Greenwich College, United Kingdom, as well as an MBA in Business Administration and an MSc from the University of Hull.
According to the citation, Bakare began her professional career in the media industry before moving into international business and security management.
She reportedly worked in the United Kingdom and the United States, including serving as general manager of a security company in Miami, Florida, before returning to Nigeria in 2004, where she established a security firm that later became one of the country’s leading security service organisations.
Nwogu said Bakare joined the Rotary Club of Ikeja on November 14, and within her first month was appointed club secretary.
He noted that during the 2015/2016 Rotary Year, she became the club’s first female president and subsequently used her leadership and organisational skills to strengthen the club.
The citation also noted that Bakare had personally sponsored 48 members into Rotary and was recognised as a passionate thinker and fundraiser.
She was also credited with facilitating a 10-year partnership between Rotary and First Bank and initiating several community-impact projects.
Her district leadership experience, according to the citation, includes serving as Assistant governor for three consecutive years, district governor nominee, district governor-elect and, currently, district governor.
Nwogu also highlighted Bakare’s commitment to the Rotary Foundation, noting that she had been a member of the Paul Harris Society since the 2016/2017 Rotary Year and attained Major Donor status in the 2019/2020 Rotary Year.
He added that she had received national recognition for her PolioPlus advocacy and remained committed to Rotary’s vision of creating lasting change in communities.
Bakare, who is married to Latif Akande, a lawyer and chartered accountant, is a mother of five and grandmother of six, according to the citation.
Her extensive international travels, covering 108 countries across six continents, were also highlighted as part of the experiences she brings to her leadership role.
Following the citation and applause from Rotarians and guests, the club’s secretary, Francisca Ibikunle, expressed appreciation to the District Governor for visiting the club and invited her to address the gathering.
Bakare used the opportunity to formally introduce members of her district team who would work with her during the rotary year.
They included Nwogu, District Secretary; Kate Wilki; Lukman Akande; Assistant Governor, Gana Majin and Assistant Governor Oladimeji Femi, Foundation Chair.
The District Governor also stressed the importance of teamwork and collective commitment among members in achieving the district’s objectives for the year.
Another highlight of the fellowship was the induction of Collins Onyezim, a chartered accountant, as a member of the Rotary Club of Festac Central. The induction was performed by Bakare following the presentation of his citation.
The event ended with the presentation of gifts to the District Governor and other deserving members, while Past Assistant Governor, Ugoeze Anthonia Agugoesi delivered the vote of thanks.
